TRV
Translation
Complete Jewish Bible
Ramot with the surrounding open land and 'Anem with the surrounding open land;
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Commentary on 1 Chronicles 6 verses 54–81
54 ¶ Now these are their dwelling places throughout their castles in their coasts, of the sons of Aaron, of the families of the Kohathites: for theirs was the lot.
55 And they gave them Hebron in the land of Judah, and the suburbs thereof round about it.
56 But the fields of the city, and the villages thereof, they gave to Caleb the son of Jephunneh.
57 And to the sons of Aaron they gave the cities of Judah, namely, Hebron, the city of refuge, and Libnah with her suburbs, and Jattir, and Eshtemoa, with their suburbs,
58 And Hilen with her suburbs, Debir with her suburbs,
59 And Ashan with her suburbs, and Bethshemesh with her suburbs:
60 And out of the tribe of Benjamin; Geba with her suburbs, and Alemeth with her suburbs, and Anathoth with her suburbs. All their cities throughout their families were thirteen cities.
61 And unto the sons of Kohath, which were left of the family of that tribe, were cities given out of the half tribe, namely, out of the half tribe of Manasseh, by lot, ten cities.
62 And to the sons of Gershom throughout their families out of the tribe of Issachar, and out of the tribe of Asher, and out of the tribe of Naphtali, and out of the tribe of Manasseh in Bashan, thirteen cities.
63 Unto the sons of Merari were given by lot, throughout their families, out of the tribe of Reuben, and out of the tribe of Gad, and out of the tribe of Zebulun, twelve cities.
64 And the children of Israel gave to the Levites these cities with their suburbs.
65 And they gave by lot out of the tribe of the children of Judah, and out of the tribe of the children of Simeon, and out of the tribe of the children of Benjamin, these cities, which are called by their names.
66 And the residue of the families of the sons of Kohath had cities of their coasts out of the tribe of Ephraim.
67 And they gave unto them, of the cities of refuge, Shechem in mount Ephraim with her suburbs; they gave also Gezer with her suburbs,
68 And Jokmeam with her suburbs, and Bethhoron with her suburbs,
69 And Aijalon with her suburbs, and Gathrimmon with her suburbs:
70 And out of the half tribe of Manasseh; Aner with her suburbs, and Bileam with her suburbs, for the family of the remnant of the sons of Kohath.
71 Unto the sons of Gershom were given out of the family of the half tribe of Manasseh, Golan in Bashan with her suburbs, and Ashtaroth with her suburbs:
72 And out of the tribe of Issachar; Kedesh with her suburbs, Daberath with her suburbs,
73 And Ramoth with her suburbs, and Anem with her suburbs:
74 And out of the tribe of Asher; Mashal with her suburbs, and Abdon with her suburbs,
75 And Hukok with her suburbs, and Rehob with her suburbs:
76 And out of the tribe of Naphtali; Kedesh in Galilee with her suburbs, and Hammon with her suburbs, and Kirjathaim with her suburbs.
77 Unto the rest of the children of Merari were given out of the tribe of Zebulun, Rimmon with her suburbs, Tabor with her suburbs:
78 And on the other side Jordan by Jericho, on the east side of Jordan, were given them out of the tribe of Reuben, Bezer in the wilderness with her suburbs, and Jahzah with her suburbs,
79 Kedemoth also with her suburbs, and Mephaath with her suburbs:
80 And out of the tribe of Gad; Ramoth in Gilead with her suburbs, and Mahanaim with her suburbs,
81 And Heshbon with her suburbs, and Jazer with her suburbs.
We have here an account of the Levites' cities. They are here called their castles (Ch1 6:54), not only because walled and fortified, and well guarded by the country (for it is the interest of every nation to protect its ministers), but because they and their possessions were, in a particular manner, the care of the divine providence: as God was their portion, so God was their protection; and a cottage will be a castle to those that abide under the shadow of the Almighty. This account is much the same with that which we had, Jos. 21. We need not be critical in comparing them (what good will it do us?) nor will it do any hurt to the credit of the holy scripture if the names of some of the places be not spelt just the same here as they were there. We know it is common for cities to have several names. Sarum and Salisbury, Salop and Shrewsbury, are more unlike than Hilen (Ch1 6:58) and Holon (Jos 21:15), Ashan (Ch1 6:59) and Ain (Jos 21:16), Alemeth (Ch1 6:60) and Almon (Jos 21:18); and time changes names. We are only to observe that in this appointment of cities for the Levites God took care, 1. For the accomplishment of dying Jacob's prediction concerning this tribe, that it should be scattered in Israel, Gen 49:7. 2. For the diffusing of the knowledge of himself and his law to all parts of the land of Israel. Every tribe had Levites' cities in it; and so every room was furnished with a candle, so that none could be ignorant of his duty but it was either his own fault or the Levites'. 3. For a comfortable maintenance for those that ministered in holy things. Besides their tithes and offerings, they had glebe-lands and cities of their own to dwell in. Some of the most considerable cities of Israel fell to the Levites' lot. Every tribe had benefit by the Levites, and therefore every tribe must contribute to their support. Let him that is taught in the word communicate to him that teacheth, and do it cheerfully.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 54–81. Public domain.
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Theodoret of CyrusAD 458
QUESTIONS ON FIRST CHRONICLES, PROLOGUE
The Chronicles also speak about the tabernacle because a temple of the Lord had not yet been built by either Samuel or David. The text also adds that that the holy services were held in the tabernacle. Worship was observed at that time according to the number of the days of the week. For it also says, “and their kindred who were in their villages were obliged to come in every seven days, in turn, to be with them.” With regard to the holy utensils it says, “Some of them had charge of the utensils of service, for they were required to count them when they were brought in and taken out. Others of them were appointed over the furniture, and over all the holy utensils, also over the choice flour, the wine, the oil, the incense and the spices.” And about the priests it says, “Others, of the sons of the priests, prepared the mixing of the spices.” With regard to the tomb of Saul the Chronicles gives us much information, and in the Book of Kings itself we read that his bones were gathered and buried in the land of Jabesh.
Theodoret of CyrusAD 458
QUESTIONS ON 1 CHRONICLES, PROLOGUE
There is abundant information in the books of Chronicles which were written to continue the books of the Kings and to preserve the memory of such important events. The first book begins with a genealogy that sets out to demonstrate how the human race came from a single man. Since it focuses only on the single kingdom of Judah, it can tell us about its cities and the villages, and from where they took their names. Here we come to know Nathan, from whom the blessed Luke constructed the beginning of his genealogy of our Lord and Savior, Son of David and Solomon’s brother4 on his mother’s side: “The following children were born to him in Jerusalem: Shimeah, Shobab, Nathan and Solomon, that is, the four children he fathered with Bersabea, daughter of Ammiel.” And Rechab6 herself, who is mentioned in many books of Scripture, is said to have come from the tribe of Judah.It also clearly explains why Reuben lost his birthright and Joseph gained it and also, finally, the reason why the tribe of Judah obtained the highest honor: “The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel. He was the firstborn, but because he defiled his father’s bed his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph son of Israel, so that he is not enrolled in the genealogy according to the birthright; though Judah became prominent among his brothers and a ruler came from him, yet the birthright belonged to Joseph.” It also explains the reason why such a great honor was conceded to Joseph. By the will of God Judah had the dignity of receiving the Lord who was born from him according to the flesh. This is the sense tacitly expressed with the words “a leader from him.” Indeed the passage seems to assert that not only the kings of the earth derived from Judah, but also the eternal king himself who had no beginning and will never end.
It also describes the situation of the tribes beyond the Jordan, those of Reuben and Gad, and even the tribes of Manasseh which later were received into those of the Hagarites and the Itureans, and talks about the tribes of the Naphiseans, and all those peoples who entered into conflict with them. In addition the text relates how they fought and won, and made the Hagarites flee. And it also reports the reason for the victory: “When they received help against them, the Hagarites and all who were with them were given into their hands, for they cried to God in the battle, and he granted their entreaty because they trusted in him.” It also describes the amount of the spoils of war: “They captured their livestock: 50, of their camels, 250, sheep, 2, donkeys and 100, captives. Many were slain because the war was from God. And they lived in their territory until the exile.”
Theodoret of CyrusAD 458
QUESTIONS ON 1 CHRONICLES, PROLOGUE
The genealogy of the priests and the Levites comes after this. It relates that Zadok, who was high priest at the time of David, had been the eleventh from Aaron; that Azariah, nephew of Zadok, had been the first to receive the priestly anointing in the temple built by Solomon. Among them there was also Jehozadak, who was brought to Babylon as a war prisoner. Jesus9 was his son, a high priest as well, who delivered the people from bondage together with Zerubbabel, and built a temple for the Lord. Here we also learn that Korah, who revolted against the great Moses, was a nephew of Isaar, son of Caath and brother of Amram, Aaron’s and Moses’ father. According to this lineage he was related to the first legislator. But he himself paid in the desert for his errors, although his children did not share the punishment of their father. From here Samuel13 came and then Aeman, who intoned Psalms and was a nephew of the prophet Samuel. In fact he was the son of Joel, son of Samuel. On the other hand, Asaph, one of the singers, came from the lineage of Gerson, son of Levi and brother of Caath. Aetham, who also belonged to the group of the singers, had Merari, the third son of Levi, as great-grandfather.The text also explains the difference between the priests and the Levites. It relates that the Levites were initiated into all the ministries of the holy altar of God: “But Aaron and his sons made offerings on the altar of burnt offering and on the altar of incense, doing all the work of the most holy place, to make atonement for Israel, according to all that Moses the servant of God had commanded.” It seems to me, in fact, that this book was written after the return from Babylon. For this reason it also talks about the bondage and explains its cause: “So all Israel was enrolled by genealogies; and these are written in the book of the Kings of Israel. And Judah was taken into exile in Babylon because of their unfaithfulness. Now the first to live again in their possessions in their towns were Israelites, priests, Levites, and temple servants.” These accounts show that the book was begun after the captivity. Indeed no historian ever relates facts that happened afterwards, but what happened before or during his times. And actually only the prophets have the power to foretell the future. In addition it says that also those who had inhabited that land before them had been enslaved. And actually many of them still live with them: the Canaanites, Chettites, Jebusites, who had been their companions in such a misfortune. Also the priests and the Levites were brought into captivity with the Israelites. I believe that those who were called “the saints’ servants” were then called Nathinim. Many of them, in fact, consecrated themselves to the ministries of the priests and the Levites. There were among them also those who were entrusted with the carrying of the water, the gathering of wood and other necessary duties. Indeed, if it was imposed to the Gabaonites, who were foreigners, to follow Joshua in the praises and to perform some works as porters or carpenters, this task was even more the duty of the Israelites. As a proof of this I have found in the interpretation of Hebrew names that this name means “house of Iaō,” that is, “of the God who is.” The text, in fact, mentions the children of Israel and among them Judah and Benjamin, and Ephraim18 and Manasseh. It also mentions the priests and the Levites, who inhabited those cities. About the Korēnites it says that they derived from Korah. It also says that among them there had been the guardians of the temple of God as well, and it seems that this custom had been introduced by Samuel and David. “All these, who were chosen as gatekeepers at the thresholds, were two hundred twelve. They were enrolled by genealogies in their villages. David and the prophet Samuel established them in their office of trust. So they and their descendants were in charge of the gates of the house of the Lord, that is, the house of the tent, as guards. The gatekeepers were on the four sides, east, west, north, and south.”
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 6:73 precisely details the allocation of two cities, Ramoth and Anem, along with their essential surrounding pasturelands, to the Merarite clan of the Levites from the tribal territory of Issachar. This verse is an integral part of a larger administrative and genealogical record within the Chronicler's work, meticulously documenting God's faithful and comprehensive provision for the priestly tribe, ensuring their strategic placement and sustenance throughout Israel to facilitate their sacred duties of teaching, judging, and ministering to the nation.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The Chronicler employs several significant literary devices in 1 Chronicles 6:73 and the broader section detailing the Levitical city lists. Cataloging or Listing is the most prominent device, as the text systematically enumerates the cities assigned to each Levitical family. This meticulous detailing reflects the Chronicler's concern for historical accuracy, the fulfillment of divine commands, and the orderly nature of God's covenant with Israel. The Repetition of the phrase "with her suburbs" for each city, including Ramoth and Anem, serves to emphasize the consistent, comprehensive, and practical nature of the provision for the Levites, highlighting that the pasturelands were as crucial for their livelihood as the cities themselves. Furthermore, the sheer Precision and Detail in these lists, even for seemingly minor cities like Ramoth and Anem, function to underscore God's orderly character and His meticulous attention to every aspect of His covenant relationship with Israel, from grand theological truths to practical administrative arrangements for His people.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The seemingly dry list of cities in 1 Chronicles 6:73 is, in fact, pregnant with profound theological significance. It speaks volumes about God's character as a God of order, meticulous provision, and unwavering faithfulness. The precise distribution of cities for the Levites, who uniquely had no tribal land inheritance, powerfully demonstrates God's commitment to sustaining those set apart for His sacred service. This divine blueprint ensured that the spiritual heart of the nation—the Levites, responsible for teaching the Law, administering justice, and maintaining the Tabernacle/Temple—was strategically placed and adequately supported. It underscores the timeless principle that those who dedicate their lives to God's work are not left to fend for themselves but are under His direct care and comprehensive provision, often mediated through the community of faith. This pattern of divine provision for ministry and those who serve is a recurring and foundational theme throughout biblical history.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Chronicles 6:73, though a detailed administrative record, offers profound and practical lessons for contemporary believers. It serves as a powerful reminder that God is a God of order, intentionality, and meticulous care, attending even to the logistical details of His kingdom and the well-being of His servants. Just as He meticulously provided for the Levites, ensuring their sustenance and strategic placement, so too does He care for the practical needs of those who serve Him today, whether in full-time vocational ministry or through their dedicated vocations in the world. This verse challenges us to consider our own role in supporting spiritual leadership and the vital work of the church. Furthermore, the strategic placement of the Levites throughout Israel, even in smaller towns like Ramoth and Anem, highlights the enduring importance of being a spiritual influence in every sphere of life and every community, no matter how seemingly insignificant. We are called to be salt and light wherever God has placed us, embodying His truth and justice in our daily interactions and contributing to the spiritual health of our surroundings.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why are these specific cities, Ramoth and Anem, listed in such detail?
Answer: These cities are listed in meticulous detail because they represent a precise fulfillment of God's command regarding the distribution of Levitical cities. Since the Levites did not receive a tribal land inheritance like the other tribes, God commanded that 48 cities, along with their surrounding pasturelands, be given to them from the territories of the other tribes (as detailed in Numbers 35). The Chronicler, in 1 Chronicles 6, meticulously records this distribution to emphasize God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises and to underscore the divine order established for the nation. Ramoth and Anem, specifically, were part of the portion allocated to the Merarite branch of the Levites from the tribe of Issachar, ensuring that spiritual instruction and oversight were available even in these particular locations, demonstrating God's pervasive care.
What is the significance of the term "suburbs" in this context?
Answer: The term "suburbs" (Hebrew: migrâsh) in this biblical context does not refer to residential areas outside a city as it does in modern English. Instead, it denotes the common pastureland or open ground immediately surrounding the Levitical cities. Numbers 35:3-5 specifies that this migrâsh extended 1,000 cubits from the city wall in every direction, providing essential grazing land for the Levites' livestock. This was crucial for their sustenance, as their primary role was not agriculture but rather serving in the Tabernacle/Temple, teaching the Law, and judging disputes. The inclusion of the "suburbs" with each city highlights God's comprehensive and practical provision for the Levites, ensuring their livelihood while they focused on their sacred duties and demonstrating His holistic care.
What can we learn from the scattering of the Levites among all the tribes?
Answer: The scattering of the Levites among all the tribes, rather than concentrating them in one region, was a deliberate and brilliant divine strategy. It ensured that spiritual instruction, knowledge of God's Law, and the administration of justice were accessible throughout the entire nation of Israel. The Levites were to be the spiritual educators and moral compass for the people, and their widespread distribution meant that every tribe had direct access to those who could teach them God's ways (see Deuteronomy 33:10). This arrangement underscores God's desire for His truth to permeate all aspects of society and for His people to be continually discipled. It serves as a powerful reminder that God often places His people strategically in various communities and vocations to be a light and influence for His kingdom, bringing His presence and truth to every corner of society.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The meticulous provision for the Levites in 1 Chronicles 6:73, ensuring their sustenance and strategic placement throughout Israel, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The entire Levitical system, with its priesthood, sacrificial rituals, and temple service, was a divinely ordained shadow pointing to the greater reality of Christ. Just as the Levites were set apart for sacred service and were sustained by God's provision through the offerings of the people, so too is Christ the ultimate Great High Priest, who perfectly fulfills all priestly functions, offering Himself as the once-for-all sacrifice for the sins of humanity. Furthermore, the strategic scattering of the Levites throughout Israel to teach God's Law and administer justice foreshadows the mission of the New Testament church. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, the church is now scattered throughout the world to proclaim the gospel and make disciples of all nations, fulfilling the Great Commission. Christ Himself is the true "city of refuge" (Numbers 35:9-34) and the ultimate source of provision for His people, the church, which is built upon Him as the chief cornerstone. Through Him, all believers are made a "royal priesthood" (1 Peter 2:9), called to offer up spiritual sacrifices and to be a light and spiritual influence in every "Ramoth" and "Anem"—every community and sphere of life—reflecting the divine order and comprehensive provision that originated with God's perfect plan for His people.